The caduceus is the traditional symbol of Hermes and features two snakes winding around an often winged staff. It is … See more

Before the ancient Romans and Greeks (about 2612 BCE), older representations from Syria and India of sticks and animals looking like serpents or worms are interpreted by some as a direct representat… See more

Beginning with the 16th century there is limited evidence of the use of the caduceus in what is arguably a medical context. However, this evidence is also ambiguous. In some cases it is clear that the caduceus symbolize… See more

Widespread confusion regarding the supposed medical significance apparently arose as a result of events in the United States that occurred in the second half of the 19th century. As pointed out by Garrison, t… See more

Despite widespread acceptance of the caduceus as a medical symbol in the United States, it has been said that the rod of Asclepius has "the more ancient and authentic claim to be the emblem of medicine". … See more

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (established in 1956)
• United States Army Medical Corps (but not the US Army Medical Department)
• Northern Ireland Ambulance Service logo includes two serpents e… See more